ORLANDO, FL – (Thursday, July 16, 2020) – Real Salt Lake is set to continue its MLS is Back Tournament run when it takes on Minnesota United FC on Friday, July 17 in its second match of the group stage. Kickoff is set for 8:30p MT from the ESPN Wide world of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida with the match being broadcast nationally on ESPN and locally on ESPN700 radio.
After claiming a dominant 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in its Group D opener, RSL now turns its attention to Minnesota United as the two sides fight for the group’s top spot entering the final group match. Midfielders Albert Rusnák and Damir Kreilach notched the club’s goals in the win over the Rapids last Sunday, paving the way for RSL to go atop Group D. Minnesota sits just behind RSL in the group on goal differential, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sporting KC last Sunday.
RSL and The Loons meet in Orlando for the seventh all-time meeting between the sides. Minnesota holds the all-time series lead, entering Friday with a 3-1-2 record over RSL since the club entered the league in 2017. In the last meeting between the sides, Minnesota claimed a 3-1 win at Allianz Field in September 2019.
How to Follow Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC – Friday, July 17, 2020
·Coverage Begins: 8:30 p.m. MT
·National TV: ESPN
·Digital Streaming: N/A
·English Radio: ESPN700
·Spanish TV: N/A
Game Notes for Friday’s RSL vs. MIN game Available Online
Those seeking the Adobe PDF version of the Game Guide in advance of Friday’s contest between Real Salt Lake and The Loons can be found here. Media members looking to receive the document as an attachment or have further questions are asked to please contact Taran Meyer in the RSL Communications Department via email at tmeyer@rsl.com.
RSL finished the 2019 regular season seeing 12 different players notch goals for the club. The team was led in scoring by MF Albert Rusnák with 10 goals, followed closely by FW Sam Johnson with nine goals while Rusnák added an additional five assists. 2018 RSL Golden Boot winner MF Damir Kreilach remained a steady presence in multiple roles for RSL in 2019, providing six goals and five assists in 32 starts this season.
On the backline, defender Nedum Onuoha returns in 2020 after becoming a mainstay at centerback in his first full season with the club, featuring in 27 of the club’s 34 matches. The former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers defender was been paired alongside fellow returners Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva and Erik Holt and Nick Besler. On both sides of the backline, Homegrown defenders Aaron Herrera and Donny Toia return as the club welcomes MLS veteran Ashtone Morgan and MLS debutant Alvin Jones. Herrera led the team in matches played and minutes in 2019 having featured in 32 of RSL’s 34 matches for 2,768 minutes played.
In goal, David Ochoa and Andrew Putna return to the goalkeeping core and welcome veteran Zac MacMath to the team for the 2020 season. Putna saw action in goal for RSL and Real Monarchs last season, starting five of RSL’s 34 matches while earning two shutouts on the year in RSL’s dominant 3-0 victory over 2019 expansion side FC Cincinnati on April 19 and a scoreless draw against New England on September 21.
